Over 150 properties were improved in the past year as part of Islington Council’s fight against rogue landlords.

At last night’s town hall meeting, Cllr James Murray, executive member for housing and development, was questioned by Cllr Rupert Perry about action the authority had taken.

Cllr Murray said 231 notices of legal action have been served for substandard properties.

It led to 166 properties being improved and eight successful prosecutions – including that of Caledonian Road landlord Andrew Panayi. In October, he was forced to pay back £70,000 of profits made from letting an “inadequate” basement flat.

Cllr Murray said: “We have an increasing problem with bad landlords, partly because people will take any accommodation they can get their hands on. So we have a team of officers who will find substandard properties.”